Obituaries: April 2, 2013

Tuesday

Apr 2, 2013 at 2:30 PM

Blaine Douglas Bailey

Welcomed into the presence of the Lord, Jesus Christ, on March 30, 2013, Blaine Douglas Bailey of DeTour Village/Drummond Island, was with his family at War Memorial Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., ICU unit. Blaine had been in residence at his daughter, Robin’s, home in Goetzville, Mich. where he convalesced following radiation treatment for cancer. He is preceded in death by his parents Frank Ivan Bailey and Myrtle Anne (Hartson) Bailey, wife of 61 years, Marylyn Elaine (Gustafson) Bailey, son, Benjamin Carl Bailey, brother, Major Francis Bailey and sister, Helen. He is survived by his children; Jonathan Lee (Judy) with sons, Blaine II and Erik, Theodore Blaine (Ruthie) with twin children, Tyler and Megan and grandson Dylan, Robin Joy, with children Benjamin, Lee, Kristyn and Allison and grandchildren, Tyler and Amanda Bailey-Rae, Raechel Gay (Edward) Kolb with son Karl, Nancy Jean, Daniel Arnold, with sons Jared and Jordan, Rebecca Sue, with son Jacob, and Amanda Christina and; brothers Robbins (Verna) and Edgerton (Irene) and sister, Cornelia Bias.

Blaine served in many capacities in his community through his life including DeTour Sheriff Deputy, Stonecutters’ Union Representative, CAA board member, DeTour Area Schools Board Member, Eastern Upper Peninsula Parent Advisory Committee Member, Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School Board member, Chairman of the Drummond Island Laundry and Linen Rental. In earlier years he was a little league baseball coach and umpire and was a lifelong member of St. Steven’s Episcopal Church. He was also a Mason. He remained engaged and involved in the lives and accomplishments of his children and grandchildren throughout his life and will be sorely missed by each.

Blaine enlisted in the Merchant Marine through the War Years before taking employment at the Cedarville Limestone Quarry then the Drummond Island Dolomite Quarry from which he retired. He also was the owner/operator of Bailey’s Well Drilling and Pump Installation providing services throughout Chippewa and Mackinac Counties.

He was born on November 24, 1925, the 4th of 6 children raised in DeTour and Drummond Island, Mich., and married Marylyn Elaine Gustafson on October 15, 1949. They lived in Cedarville for one year before relocating to DeTour then lived briefly in Flint, Mich. before settling again in DeTour to raise their family. He enjoyed hunting, lumbering, making maple syrup, mushrooming, berry picking, Jeeping, water sports, baseball, wood working, Cribbage, family gatherings and was often seen at the old Bailey sawmill or the old Bailey farm on Drummond. In later years passersby on the South Shore road would find him on his deck feeding chickadees by hand with his Newfoundland dog, Merriweather Lewis (Lewie) lying nearby.

He and Elaine maintained an open door for the many relatives who enjoyed respite while waiting in long ferry boat line ups. Between the Bailey’s and Gustafson’s immediate family he was an uncle, great uncle, great-great uncle and great-great-great uncle to over 500 individuals, all of whom he could name and with many of whom he maintained an ongoing, loving rapport to his last. He treasured cousins as well and with many, held close and actively engaged. His humor and good will are legendary with countless interactions that will allow this family to enjoy entertaining memories and life lessons for generations to come.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 3 from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Reamer Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford, Michigan and Thursday, April 4 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the Drummond Island Township Hall followed by a funeral service at 12 p.m. Thursday.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.reamergalerfuneralhome.com.

Joyce Ann Dorrien

Joyce Ann Dorrien, age 89, of DeTour Village, Mich., died Sunday, March 31, 2013 at the Hospice of the E.U.P. in Sault Ste. Marie. She was born October 7, 1923 in DeTour to Leslie and Anna Edna (LaPoint) Bell.

Joyce was a tiny 2.5 pound baby who lived at a time most babies her size did not. She grew up in DeTour where she graduated from high school. She moved to Detroit, to work during World War II. After the war, she returned to DeTour where she married Ralph Thomas Dorrien on May 18, 1946. Joyce enjoyed crocheting and made many afghans and baby gifts. She and Ralph enjoyed camping throughout Michigan and traveling many place in the United States. For 35 years, they spent the winter months in Florida.

Joyce is survived by her husband of 66 years, Ralph.

She was preceded in death by her son, Ralph Thomas “Tom” Dorrien Jr. in September 2012, and by her sister, Catherine Hill.

Services will be held Wednesday, April 3 at Reamer Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford, Michigan. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. with the funeral service beginning at 11 a.m.

Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery later in the spring.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.reamergalerfuneralhome.com.

Death Notices

FORTIN, ROBERT, age 59, of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. passed away Saturday, March 30, 2013 at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at this time, but will be announced by C.S. Mulder Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

LIETZKE, DONALD H., age 74, of Brimley, Mich. passed away Monday morning, April 1, 2013 at Tendercare of Sault Ste. Maire. Arrangements are incomplete at this time, but will be announced by C.S. Mulder Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

SAVARD, BERNARD “ARCHIE,” age 82 of St. Ignace, Mich. passed away Monday afternoon, April 1 at Mackinac Straits Health System in St. Ignace. He was born February 16, 1931 in St. Ignace. Arrangements are incomplete, and handled by Dodson Funeral Home, St. Ignace.­